To Love
why don’t we simply love everyone?
Converting my some of my favorite journal entries to digital
27th May, 2023
So many people have tried to describe love. There are so many definitions out there. But I think we each have our own unique one. We may not have explicitly defined it, but I think it shows. It shows in our actions; in our behavior with one another. And I think the strength of any relationship, is if these definitions of the two people align, and if so, to what degree.
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Recently, I’ve been surrounded by love. Earlier this year, I visited my relatives, went on family vacations, and even traveled with friends and some really fun strangers who later became friends. It’s amazing how much love there is in this world.
My relatives took care of me, bought me gifts, and took me to my favorite places. The way my kaka (‘uncle’ in Marathi), covered me with a blanket when I fell asleep on the couch, and when my aaji (‘grandmother’ in Marathi) held my hand in the same uncomfortable way, because if she moved, I’d wake up. Or the time I fell asleep in the car on my dad’s shoulder, and he cramped his neck trying not to wake me up. (I realize how much these examples revolve around me sleeping, lmao.) My aatya (‘aunt’ in Marathi), remembered to get Aamrakhanda (a mango dessert) for me and my mami (another type of ‘aunt’ in Marathi) made my favorite fried okra for the one meal I visited her for. My friend who stayed up listening to my boy problems and my brother who makes me laugh everyday. My cousins who came on a 6 day trek with me and that stranger who gave me a string to hold my broken shoe together. The way my mom wakes me up everyday with at least a million hugs and kisses. The way Himanshu noticed Tanvi’s quietest sniff while driving and asked me to hand her the tissue box from the back seat. The way the five of us laughed heartily, simply enjoying each other’s company.
There is so much love in this world. And it’s incredible that we have the capability of creating more of it out of absolutely nothing.
I still don’t think I have realized what my definition of love is. But I also don’t think that I’d have a permanent one. I believe it evolves every day, and each day I discover a new way to love. This ability to love, to appreciate the presence of another human being on this planet in the same time and place as you, is so underrated and so beautiful. The ability to further express it and perceive it is even more exceptional. With a power so strong, so impactful, and so positive, I find it foolish that we don’t love every human being by default. Sometimes I think that every single problem on this earth could be solved if we all just woke up one day and decided to truly love one another. That’s how powerful I believe love can be.
Make love, not war. After all, condoms are cheaper than guns.
— I don’t remember where I read this.
